Gokhale meets Pompeo: Both say Pak must dismantle terror hubs

Washington, Mar 11 : Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on Monday called on US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo here and both sides agreed that Pakistan "needs to take concerted action to dismantle the terrorist infrastructures" and deny safe haven to all terrorist groups.

According to an official statement from the Ministry of External Affairs, both the leaders "expressed satisfaction" over the significant progress and the quality of the India-US Strategic Partnership since Secretary Pompeo's visit to India in September 2018 for the first ever Ministerial 2+2 Dialogue.

"Foreign Secretary conveyed appreciation to the US Government and to Secretary Pompeo personally for the firm support that India received from the US in the aftermath of the terrorist attack in Pulwama, in the State of Jammu and Kashmir". Mr Gokhale also apprised Secretary Pompeo about "recent developments" in this regard.

"Secretary Pompeo expressed his understanding of India's concerns regarding cross-border terrorism. They agreed that Pakistan needs to take concerted action to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure and to deny safe haven to all terrorist groups in its territory," the statement said.

"They also agreed that those who support or abet terrorism in any form should be held accountable".

Foreign Secretary and Secretary Pompeo also discussed other issues of mutual interest including Afghanistan and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, and agreed to closely work together in this regard.

In response to Secretary Pompeo's reference to bilateral trade matters, Foreign Secretary Gokhale underscored the significant reduction in trade deficit in the last three years.

He also conveyed India's "willingness to remain engaged" with the U.S. for a meaningful and mutually acceptable package on trade issues, the release said.UNI